Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Is there anything more beautiful than the Annunciation? And which Annunciation is greater? The one that foretells the coming of a child, any child, yet how much more so when that child is eternal, promised from the beginning of times, who came to save creation from its sins and transgressions? He came with open arms to embrace humanity, to draw it close to His heart and shield it from the works of evil.

This is the Annunciation that gathers the People of the Books, the lovers of the Lord, and those grateful for the gift of life and all that exists on earth. “Mary’s glory grows in the East and in the West,” begins the hymn. It continues: “Honor her, exalt her, enthrone her in your hearts.” And again: “She said, when she received the message, ‘All peoples shall call me blessed,’” and elsewhere: “The Lord of all worlds saw her and chose her.” Indeed, she is the best of the women of the worlds. As the Qur’an recounts: “And when the angels said: O Mary, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and exalted you above all women of the worlds.”

Her status among nations is unmatched. She is the mother who embraced the incarnation of the Savior, nurtured Him, prepared Him, and guided Him to fulfill His mission. Every mother longs to identify with Mary, and every person hopes that his mother, sister, or the mother of his children reflects her example. Many girls bear the name Mary, honoring her legacy.

It was a blessed day when we, the Islamic-Christian Dialogue National Committee (ICNDC) met at the Prime Minister’s Office and agreed to recognize the Day of the Annunciation as a national occasion. It remained so for several years until it became a comprehensive national holiday…

Uniting and Standing Together in a One Common Human Journey to Achieve Justice and Reconciliation

In light of the painful war taking place in the Middle East and its serious humanitarian and social repercussions, and with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, the World Council of Churches (WCC), in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a global online Prayer for peace in the region, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Attendees were the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay; the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Dr. Michel Abs; colleagues from both Councils; activists in the Ecumenical Movement; Church and Spiritual Leaders from various Church Families; as well as believers from around the world.

During the encounter, participants lit candles from their respective locations and raised Prayers with hearts full of hope for peace, truth and justice in the Middle East and the world. The meeting also included reflections, readings, Psalms, and hymns from different Church Traditions. A text from the Gospel was also read by Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand, Lebanon.

As part of its capacity-building and skills development efforts, the Media Team and the Diakonia Team, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in an online training organized by ABAAD organization on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). The course aimed to promote safe working environments and human rights accountability.

Participants were also staff working in humanitarian and social organizations, who enhanced their knowledge and skills in identifying the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse and understanding prevention mechanisms.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 27 آذار/ مارس2026

In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.

At the Invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon

Words Emphasized Strengthening the Spirit of Faith and Human Fraternity Among the Lebanese

On the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, and under the title “The Annunciation of Mary Brings Us Together... And Her Peace Unites Us,” the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, organized a Christian–Islamic Encounter for peace in Lebanon and the region. The event took place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut.

Attendees were His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia; His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Beirut and Head of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon; the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs; Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department; Father Movses Garen Yosolkanian, Coordinator of the MECC Eco-Justice Justice Unit; and Lawyer Professor Ibrahim Traboulsi, Member of the MECC Executive Committee. The Encounter also brought together Christian, Muslim, and Druze Spiritual Leaders, Religious, social, and cultural figures, educational and academic personalities, members of the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, and some MECC colleagues.

On the Occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of His Enthronement As Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, as Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, who is also the President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, wishing him continued health and success in his Pastoral service as a faithful servant of the Church of Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Beatitude to bless his service, bestow His graces upon him, and grant him the power of the Holy Spirit to lead his Church to the salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, and to remain a model of love and endless giving in the field of the Lord, wishing him many years of goodness, blessing, and holiness.

A Christian-Islamic Prayer & Supplication Encounter

At the Hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut

Produced By MECC